Nogovitsin O.N. : Theory of morality and the origins of social sciences: the concept of conscience by I. Kant and in the prose by Ye. D. Aypin. Vestnik ugrovedenia = Bulletin of Ugric Studies. 2023; 13 (4 ...

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Abstract

Introduction. The conceptualization of the notion of conscience in the idealistic socio-philosophical doctrines of the end of XVIII — first half of XIX centuries became one of the theoretical basics of shaping the social sciences. In the paper, we evaluate Kantian theoretical construction of the universal concept of conscience in comparison with the traditional concept of conscience as depicted in the prose of E. D. Aipin and modern studies of Khanty society. Objective of the paper: comparing the liberal concept of development of historical process out of the moral inclination of human nature (conscience) with the traditional concept of conscience as a basis of the existence of a collective. Research materials: Kant’s works representing his theory of morality, religion and law, literary works of E. D. Aipin, and materials of ethnological and linguistic studies of the culture of Khanty. Results and novelty of the research. The liberal theory of society of I. Kant is a source of principal conceptual narratives of modern liberal politics in all the spheres of social life. The feature of his theory is that he conceptualizes the rupture between the traditional concept of morality and religion, where the inclinations of morality are suppressed by the system of religious prejudices and superstitions, and liberal modernity grounded on the universal concept of morality, which is centered, in Kant’s thought, by a concept of conscience interpreted as a means of absolute justification of human activity. This image of “pure conscience” is directly opposite to the traditional concept of conscience. The literary version of moral reflection represented in the prose of E. D. Aipin gives a testimony not of a pure conscience and a political project of realization of its potential in the world, but rather of sick conscience, that is, caring of real needs of individuals and the entire people. As for the scientific novelty of the study, it is in pioneer research of Kant’s notion of conscience in a comparative perspective with a study of the traditional concept of conscience presented by E. D. Aipin and in the Khanty culture.